How we decide what to fund
Our general approach towards grantmaking has been heavily influenced by
GiveWell and the
Open Philanthropy Project, two grantmaking organizations with significant experience and a strong track record.
Expected value
We balance risk and reward, sometimes backing bold projects with big potential impact.
Marginal impact
We ask how much more good a project can do with extra money, not just how well it’s doing now.
Counterfactual impact
What would happen if we didn’t fund a project: could someone else step in or is our support crucial?
Track record
We look at the people and organizations behind a project, and their history of delivering results.
Some grants are valuable because they test new ideas and generate insights for the future.
Direct and indirect effects
We weigh both immediate outcomes and knock-on effects, positive or negative.